The birth control pill is the most popular and one of the most effective methods of reversible prescription contraceptives available. Birth Control pills have been in use for over 3 decades. "The pill" has been extensively studied for its safety and effectiveness.
Most oral contraceptives contain two substances normally produced by the body: ~estrogen~ and progesterone. These female ~hormones~ regulate |menstrual cycles|. The pill uses these ~hormones~ to interrupt the message sent by the |brain| telling the |ovary| to release an egg. The pill also acts in other ways to prevent |pregnancy|.
There are two types of birth control pills: combination pills and minipills. Combination pills contain ~estrogen~ and progestogen (a synthetic progesterone). The minipill contains only progestogen. Due to the lack of ~estrogen~, the minipill does not always prevent an egg release. This makes it slightly less effective than the combination pill.
In order for either pill to work effectively, they must be taken by |mouth|, one tablet daily at the same time every day. The minipill is available as a 28 day package containing progestogen pills only. The combination pills come in two different packages: 28 day and 21 day. The 28 day package contains 21 pills with the active ingredients and 7 pills with no active ingredients. The 21 day package contains only active ingredient pills. After these are completed, no pills containing active ingredients are required for 7 days. Then the next package of 21 pills must be started. Some women may prefer the 28 day package because it is sometimes difficult to remember when to start the next 21 day package.
There are various brands of birth control pills and various types of dispensers available. There are also three different ways to begin taking birth control pills. Your healthcare provider can help you select which type of pill and which dose schedule will be most effective for each person's individual needs.
Who Can Use The Pill:
Any woman requiring an effective, convenient, reversible form of birth control that allows for spontaneous and/or uninterrupted sex.
Who Should Not Use The Pill:
While most women can use the pill safely, some should not. The following conditions should eliminate the pill as a choice of contraceptive: |Heart| attack or |stroke|; ~Blood~ clots in the legs, |lungs|, or |eyes|; ~Blood~ clots in the deep |veins| of the legs; Known or suspected breast |cancer| or |cancer| of the lining of the |uterus|, |cervix|, or |vagina|; |Liver| ~tumor~ (benign or cancerous); |Chest pain|; Unexplained vaginal |bleeding|; Yellowing of the whites of the |eyes| or the skin during |pregnancy| or previous use of the pill; and Known or suspected |pregnancy|.
Advantages:
Used correctly, 0-3 women out of every 100 get pregnant in a given year of continuous pill use. The pill is easy to take and does not interfere with or interrupt intercourse. The pill is easily reversible, simply stop taking the medication. There are also a number of potential non contraceptive benefits of combination oral products. A qualified medical professional can provide information regarding these possible benefits.
Disadvantages:
The pill offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STD's), only against |pregnancy|. It also requires a consistent dosing schedule to be effective. Missing two days or more of the pill can significantly reduce protection against |pregnancy|. Certain other medications can also interfere with the effectiveness of the pill.
Side Effects:
Common - |headaches|, nausea, vomiting, sore or tender breasts, |bleeding| between periods, missed period, weight gain, weight loss, and depression.
Serious - Although these are rare, be aware of : ~blood~ clots in the legs, |brain|, |lungs|, and |heart|; smoking while on the pill increases the risk of |heart| attacks and |strokes|; |liver| |cancer| (very rare); and high-blood pressure.
